Southern California -- this just in

Administrators reach tentative deal with L.A. Unified

June 20, 2012 | 12:33
pm

L.A. school district administrators have tentatively agreed to a one-year salary reduction as part of a plan to limit layoffs and preserve programs in the nation’s second-largest school system, the school district announced Wednesday.

Under the pact, which must still be ratified by the Board of Education and by the rank and file, administrators will lose up to 10 paid work days, a wage reduction of about 5%. The concession would save the Los Angeles Unified School District about $12 million.

The agreement mirrors deals reached with the teachers union and other employee bargaining groups. Widespread layoffs still are expected — more than 1,300 members of the teachers union still are expected to lose jobs, for example. But the wage cuts will spare thousands of additional jobs, according to the school district and the unions.

“I sincerely appreciate this decision from our valued employees, who are willing to accept a smaller salary that keeps more people working in the district and ultimately helps our children,” L.A. schools Supt. John Deasy said in a statement.

The head of the administrators union echoed the superintendent's remarks.

“This tentative agreement, if ratified, will restore and preserve a substantial number of [administrator] positions,” said Judith Perez, president of Associated Administrators of Los Angeles. “I wish to thank our hard-working members for their numerous sacrifices during the severe financial crisis of the past three years.”

Her union represents principals, assistant principals and many other middle managers in central and regional offices.